Southern Frontier.
In a land of verdant mountains and clear waters, mist drifted through the air, faintly forming mirage-like illusions.
“Here we are. Go.”
“Remember, only by killing everyone can you survive…”
A massive earthen-yellow ship arrived. Along with a calm, indifferent voice, numerous earth-attribute cultivators poured into the mirage like dumplings dropping into boiling water, vanishing in an instant.
…
“What… is this place?”
Fang Wuchen steadied himself and found that he was already inside an underground palace.
On both sides stretched gray-white stone corridors, twisting and turning, leading to unknown destinations.
A sudden noise rang out. Yellow light flashed beneath his feet as if he had shrunk the ground itself. In the blink of an eye, he appeared before a Qi Ingestion cultivator.
“Ah, spare me, my lord… I am but a rogue cultivator from Ancient Shu.”
A burly man in coarse robes immediately dropped to his knees, begging for mercy.
“Kill everyone to live?”
Fang Wuchen murmured softly. “Sorry, I don’t want to do this either.”
Thud!
Even as he spoke, the burly man suddenly erupted into action. A yellow dagger appeared in his hand and stabbed viciously into Fang Wuchen’s body.
Clang!
The dagger struck as if hitting rotten leather. It could not pierce him at all.
“After Dao Foundation, it truly is a completely different realm compared to Qi Ingestion.”
Fang Wuchen looked at the stunned man, no longer interested. With a casual wave of his sleeve.
Boom!
The man instantly exploded into yellow dirt and sand, scattering in all directions.
“Not good… the cultivators here are slaughtering each other. If Master encounters Qi Ingestion cultivators, that’s fine. But if he meets Dao Foundation cultivators, he could be wiped out with a single sleeve just like this.”
Fang Wuchen’s expression turned anxious as he rushed deeper into the maze.
…
“Haha… a mere Qi Ingestion dares provoke this Buddha?”
Miaofeng Bright Son burst into laughter, smashing the head of a Qi Ingestion cultivator before him.
Blood and brain matter splattered across his face, yet it brought him a rare sense of relief.
“Our esoteric practitioners excel in calculating fate… I can sense it. After killing this person, earth-attribute fate gathers toward me… This is clearly a Gu-raising method, meant to nurture a Gu King!”
“Heh, I’ve long grown tired of the things these demonic cultivators do.”
“I wonder what kind of Blessed Land secret realm is about to open.”
His figure flickered as he continued searching for his next target.
“In the past, I was like a tiger crouching in the mountains, hiding my claws and enduring… But now that I have entered this treasure land, perhaps I can find another path.”
His eyes gleamed with sinister calculation. Golden light shimmered around him, making him resemble a golden-bodied arhat.
But at that moment, the void suddenly tore open.
A hand extended outward.
The hand was slender, jade-like, with delicate skin. It simply pressed down lightly.
Even though Miaofeng Bright Son was a Dao Foundation cultivator with esoteric techniques and a golden arhat body, he was reduced to ashes in an instant.
Not only Miaofeng, but also Miaoshui and Qingjing all met sudden calamity. They perished without even understanding what had happened.
…
Above the heavens.
“Hmph… which fool allowed those Brahman monks to enter? Do they not know their karma is the most troublesome?”
Kaiyuanzi snorted coldly, as if everything within the underground palace lay clearly before his eyes.
To form great karmic ties with the Esoteric Hidden-Treasury Domain was no trivial matter.
“It was merely some ignorant juniors of the Xuantu Sect acting out of private resentment. The White Bone Dao is about to fall anyway. It is no great issue.”
Si Chen waved his hand, though doubt lingered in his heart. “I have seen that Sangji before. He had the potential to reach Purple Mansion. How did his fate collapse so easily?”
…
On the earthen-yellow ship.
A Daoist clad in yellow robes, youthful in appearance, stood with his hands behind his back.
Behind him, those Dao Foundation cultivators who once roamed Xituo Commandery arrogantly now knelt trembling, sweat pouring down like rain.
“Spare us, Spiritual Master.”
They had just witnessed the Xuantu Spiritual Master personally crush those Bright Son and Wisdom Consort like insects. Cold sweat drenched their backs as they frantically begged for forgiveness.
“Xituo was originally under the rule of my Xuantu Sect. The White Bone Dao seized it, so resentment arose in your hearts. Since you have already brought them here, they can at least serve as nourishment for this formation. After all, they carry a portion of Dao Foundation earth fate.”
The youthful Spiritual Master gently patted the head of the kneeling man, a scene that looked disturbingly unnatural.
“This formation gathers fate, and esoteric cultivators are the most adept at manipulating it. Those Bright Son and Wisdom Consort possessed high cultivation. If they entered Taihuang Heaven and secretly accumulated fate, there might truly have been a chance for escape. Do you know your crime?”
“Spiritual Master, spare us…”
The man tried to plead further, but his expression suddenly froze.
In the next instant, he turned into drifting ash and vanished completely.
…
Taibai Island.
Through the perspectives of Fachuan and Fajian, Fang Qing coldly observed everything within the underground palace. ‘As expected, this is for raising Gu?’
‘Just like Tian Jinchen. Nurture the strongest Dao Foundation, then use it to open a Grotto Heaven and Blessed Land.’
‘What a pity. Even if these fated individuals obtain techniques and treasures, once they emerge, everything will still be stripped from them.’
He was not yet aware that Miaofeng and the other Bright Ones had already been crushed to death by a single strike from a Purple Mansion cultivator.
But it was obvious enough that none of these people would meet a good end.
‘There is no opportunity.’
‘If I want a variable, I will likely have to wait until the true treasure reveals itself.’
As time passed bit by bit, within the subterranean labyrinth, earth-aligned cultivators slaughtered one another like Gu insects. Blood flowed like rivers.
High above in the sky, whether it was Si Chen, Kaiyuanzi, Spiritual Master Xuantu, or the demon king of the Great Wind Tribe, all watched indifferently. There was even a faint trace of anticipation in their eyes.
“This world, should not be like this.”
A soft voice sounded.
A figure flickered into existence in the void. A slovenly Daoist appeared.
It was none other than San Ji Spiritual Master.
His Daoist robe was tattered, carrying the scent of smoke and fire. His face was smudged with soot, yet his eyes shone brightly.
“San Ji, this world has always been this way, from ancient times until now.”
Si Chen’s gaze carried a trace of pity. “If you want a dense [Stomach Earth] fate, this is the only way to stimulate it.”
“Haha. Those below are nothing but ants. If I were to go myself and link it with the life of a Purple Mansion cultivator, would that not surpass ten thousand of them?”
San Ji Spiritual Master laughed loudly.
“The value of divine abilities is naturally so. But think carefully. You have already taken your seat at the table. Why step down yourself?”
Si Chen sighed.
“These people came because of me. They die for me. That itself is my sin.”
“The old Daoist is merely being sentimental.”
San Ji Spiritual Master’s figure shifted and vanished into the mirage. A point of earthen yellow light flickered as dense mist churned, radiance flashing in countless hues.
“He truly does not wish to live…”
Si Chen, Kaiyuanzi, and the others fell silent.
After a long while, it was the demon king of the Great Wind Tribe who spoke first, his hoarse laughter unpleasant to hear. “This one is rather interesting. We intended to invite him to the table, yet he has placed himself upon it as blood food.”
“San Ji comes from the Kitchen God lineage, a Purple Mansion of earth virtue. Now he sacrifices his own life to connect with the Grotto Heaven… How could the Taihuang Heaven not respond? But once he does so, his death will not be far off.”
Si Chen sighed.
In the next instant, heaven and earth inverted!
...
Taibai Island.
Inside the cave abode.
Fang Qing remained expressionless as he watched Fajian wield his sword, arcs of clear light flashing as one Qi Ingestion cultivator after another fell.
‘[Liu Earth]? [Nu Earth]? And [Di Earth]? This should clearly be a [Stomach Earth] configuration.’
‘Could it be that because [Stomach Earth] represents the orthodox nature of earth virtue, cultivators of the other three earth paths can also be used?’
‘Still, I am afraid I cannot save Fang Wuchen.’
He sighed softly. If this situation required killing until only one destined individual remained, then there was no way to save anyone under the watchful eyes of so many Purple Mansion cultivators.
Even his two chess pieces would have poor odds if they encountered Dao Foundation cultivators in a life-and-death struggle.
At that moment, Fang Qing let out a soft exclamation.
Through his perspective, Fachuan and Fajian had somehow entered another world.
The sun was setting in the west, casting vast golden light.
The land was yellow like earth itself. Fachuan stood within a desert.
Meanwhile, Fajian stood before a range of mountains, where faint structures could be seen atop the peaks.
‘This is not a Blessed Land.’
Having experienced Yanbo Blessed Land, Fang Qing immediately understood upon seeing the earthen-yellow sun. ‘Sangji once said that blessed lands have no sun or moon. Only Grotto Heaven possess vast skies with sun, moon, and stars, Whether those are real celestial bodies or projections of techniques, it speaks to the power of True Lords. They truly are immortals.’
‘But I thought they would fight until only one remained. Why have both entered? And they have yet to encounter Dao Foundation cultivators. That means quite a few people made it in.’
‘Still, this must be an opportunity!’
Fang Qing’s eyes lit up.
Grotto Heaven contained even richer spiritual resources than Blessed Lands.
Moreover, they housed the inheritance of True Lords, exactly what he desired.
‘No matter what, Dao Foundation cultivators cannot compete with Purple Mansion beings for treasures. I estimate these two will not end well either.’
‘Better to follow the same approach as last time. Focus on studying Daoist texts.’
Having learned from past experience, Fang Qing had no intention of seeking Purple Mansion treasures or magical artifacts.
If he could gain knowledge and perhaps lend Fang Wuchen a hand, that would be enough.
‘At this point, there is no need to conceal anything.’
With a thought, flames surged around Fajian. Behind his head, radiant light gathered, forming the shape of a blazing sun wheel.
His aura instantly broke through from peak Qi Ingestion, releasing the might of a Dao Foundation cultivator.
This was the authority granted by the Bright Son status.
Whoosh!
Fajian’s expression turned sharp as he shot toward the mountaintop buildings in a streak of fire.
Such blatant movement immediately drew attention.
A handsome young man surrounded by verdant light stepped forward to intercept him. He looked at Fajian with surprise. “A Great Sun lineage? I am Liu Junyan of the Liu Family.”
“This monk is Fajian, disciple under the Esoteric Master.”
Fajian replied calmly. The Great Sun lineage was not the best identity to reveal, but an Esoteric background posed no issue.
“So it is a Bright Son.”
Liu Junyan sighed. “This Grotto Heaven isolates external influence, yet you still possess Dao Foundation might. Aside from empowerment by your master, you must have also cultivated a Dao Foundation yourself. I admire that.”
He felt uncertain inside. ‘I was forced here by my family. Everywhere I look is earth-aligned cultivation. Why has an Esoteric monk suddenly appeared? And one cultivating the Great Sun path?’
‘Isolation of the Grotto Heaven?’
Fang Qing’s heart stirred, and he quickly understood. This was the difference between his Bright Son status and that of the Esoteric domain.
‘The Dao-Genesis Pearl reaches everywhere. Even the Minor Huan Sea cannot block it. Why would a mere Grotto Heaven matter?’
‘Still, I must be more careful in similar situations in the future.’
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter